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Ridgerunner- My AASS.

One of the things I love about joining HF is I now spend more time thinking about splicing, rigging, suspension ect in work (and out) than I do about actual work. Not a bad thing.

Inspired by a suspension system I seen on here- where the spreader bars where secured to the ground (or the bottom of the tree?) using lengths of cord in a 'V' formation,
it got me thinking about two things. A- Would a ridge-line benefit the RR, and B- Could it serve more purpose than just controlling the amount of sag that a ridge-line
would normally undertake.

Armed with the day off, two UCR's previously made in an attempt at ubler light hammock suspension (fail) a dutch oven full of cassoulet, roll of 1.5mm dyneema
and a friend that also wanted a day/night in the woods to go over kit, off we went.

First things first, ridge-line.
This was adjusted inwards until a negative effect was felt (noticeable sag, defeating the RR concept of a flat lay) and then dialed back out slightly to my preferred 'sweet spot'

Ridge-lines do work with the RR as there was still a slight change in angle at the connection point.
Handy for now adding a ridge-line organizer for when the bug net is stowed, or a support when deployed,
connecting/shortening the mesh shock cord lifts for the net or whatever you wish really, not to mention
a consistent 'flat' lay how you like it. Two mini krabs held no probs (I'm 210lb) so there's no reason you could not
simply unclip it and stow when packing up if you did not want to fix it.

All good so far. Mine measured 138 inches once set.

Next up was to tie adjustable support lines down under slight tension from the ridge-line to see what effect (if any) they would have with the stability
of the hammock. It was interesting to find this instantly removed the slight 'tippy' feeling that happens generally moving around.
The supports wont stop you falling out or extreme movement shifts, but they made a very noticeable difference with the general lay of the hammock from lateral movement.

View from inside-

Well, the concept worked and the rig was split down once measurements taken with the rest of the afternoon/evening enjoying good food,
beer and company. The following day at home, it was time to make Gen-2.

Every contact point has a minature whoopie with a 3' constrictor so there's a degree of adjustment. Support lines fixed with a clove hitch at the ridge.
This adjustment is needed for Gen-3, where rig will be single line suspension as such, with small steel rings at the apex ends of the main ridge-line,
a modification to the amsteel 'V' length (which will become dynaglide) and one or two other bits such as dynglide whoopies.

The mini krabs will be replaced with soft shackles so everything can be removed if need be and with the removal of nearly all the shock cord from the net lifting system,
Its added no more than 2-3 grams to the original system after the reduction in shock cord..
Once the Dynaglide gets here, It should hopefully be 10-20 grams under original weight and much more stable. it will also be single line into the doors of the Superfly.

To be replaced with a few inches 2mm shock cord and a fixed eye in the ridge line.

Micro soft shackles. Less than 1gm each.

I hope this was of some use to the RR owners out there. Food for thought!

UCR's where good mate. Just too much slip, probably from the coating. Would be fine for tarps ect.

I might try some larger whoopies, so the constrictor is pulled under tension at both ends although it would probably still give.
Managed to suspend myself vertically on a straight section, jolting up and down and the Marlows held, no probs.

Now you've got me thinkin...meanwhile my RR will have it's own SRL installed this evening.

Thanks for the Excellent presentation and photos too.

- Loki,

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy,
while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn."
— John Muir